I Get It Now
Takami sat frozen on his bed, eyes locked on the floating text in front of him.
[Become a Player?][Yes] [No]
His mind raced. A player? What does that even mean? And why does it feel like this is real?
He reached out hesitantly, stopping just before touching the words in the air. "What happens if I say yes?" he muttered. "Or no?"
Before he could decide, a knock on the door made him jolt.
"Takami?" His mother's voice. "Are you awake?"
His eyes darted to the orb, then to the message hovering in the air. In a panic, he shoved the orb under his pillow, but the pop-up stayed, floating clearly above the bed.
"Uh—yeah! One sec!" He threw himself onto the bed, covering the glowing text with his body just as the door creaked open.
His mom peeked in, scanning him with that knowing, motherly gaze. "How are you feeling? You were out cold when they found you. Do you remember what happened?"
Takami hesitated. "Uh... we were on a mission and... boom. I woke up here."
His mother raised an eyebrow. She didn't look convinced. After a few seconds, she smiled warmly. "Well, I'm just glad you're okay. Try not to push yourself too hard." She closed the door behind her as she left.
Takami exhaled, flipping onto his back. "That was close..."
He reached under his pillow and grabbed the orb. Annoyance flickered across his face. "This stupid thing…" He threw it at the wall, expecting it to shatter.
BOOM.
His wall cracked, the orb lodged into it.
Takami blinked. "...What the hell?"
He pried it out, staring at it like it was some kind of cursed relic. Sighing, he dropped it on his study table and decided to ignore it for now. A bath first. Then breakfast. Then... figure this out.
---
Later that morning, Takami met up with Yuri and Jimin at Yuri's cabin. He expected tension, confusion—maybe even fear—after what had happened last night.
Instead, they looked... normal. Too normal.
"Yo," Jimin greeted lazily, leaning back in his chair. "What's up?"
Takami narrowed his eyes. "Are you guys seriously acting like nothing happened last night?"
Yuri tilted her head. "Last night?"
"The mission! The spirit! You guys almost—" He stopped. Their faces were blank, like they had no clue what he was talking about.
Jimin scratched his head. "Dude... we just had some drinks, passed out, and woke up in the village. You sure you didn't dream all that?"
Takami's stomach dropped. He could tell when Jimin was lying—but right now, there was nothing. No hesitation. No attempt to hide the truth. They genuinely didn't remember.
"This has to be a joke," he muttered, reaching into his pocket. He pulled out the orb and held it up. "Then tell me—what is this?"
Jimin squinted at his empty hand. "What is what?"
Yuri nudged Jimin. "Stop messing with him."
Jimin raised his hands. "I swear, I don't see anything!"
Takami looked between them, heart pounding. They can't see it...?
Maybe he really was losing his mind.
Yuri stepped closer, inspecting his face. "You sure you didn't hit your head somewhere?"
Jimin smirked. "Dude, let's get you some cake. Maybe sugar will help."
Takami stared at them for a long moment before sighing."Fine, whatever."
The three of them laughed as they left for the café, but in the back of his mind, Takami couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.
---
That evening, Takami sat alone in his room, staring at the floating message again.
[Become a Player?][Yes] [No]
"...Screw it." He tapped [Yes].
The orb melted into his skin, spreading through his veins like liquid fire. His vision blurred. His body seized. A surge of energy coursed through him—painful, electric, like he was being torn apart and stitched back together at the same time.
[Full body scan in progress...]
His limbs locked up. His breath hitched. The pain intensified.
"GRRRAAAAHHH!!" He collapsed onto the floor, convulsing. His body felt like it was experiencing every possible injury at once—burning, freezing, suffocating, being electrocuted.
Then, suddenly—silence.
He lay there, chest rising and falling rapidly, drenched in sweat.
[Full body scan complete.]
[Player is now eligible to level up.]
Takami coughed, groaning. "That... sucked."
A new screen popped up.
[Open Starter Pack?]
"...Might as well."
The screen listed his rewards:
[•
•Healing Potion
•Level 1 Cloak]
As he tapped OK, a note appeared.
[All items can be found in Inventory.]
Takami wiped his face. "Okay… so this is basically a game system? In real life?"
His main status screen appeared:
[Current Level: Low Grant Level User (Red)][Stats: Strength 10 | Agility 10 | Intelligence 10 | Perception 10 | Stamina 10]
[Daily Quest: Unavailable]
[Mission Search: Available]
He was so focused, he didn't realize people in the park were staring at him. Realizing how weird he looked, he quickly dismissed the screen and walked off.
---
Back in his room, Takami sat cross-legged, bringing up the system. His eyes landed on [Mission Search].
He selected it.
A scan began. Then—
[Low-Class Spirit detected nearby.]
[Accept Mission?]
[Yes] [No]
A smirk formed on his lips. "Time to see what this thing can do."
After telling his mom he'd be back before dinner, he dashed out.
As he ran, a note appeared.
[Color Codes for Enemies:
•Blue: Easy
•Green: Equal Level
•Yellow: Hard
•Red: Impossible]
His target's name was blue. Easy prey.
But when he arrived, the spirit—a grotesque, skeletal figure—turned toward him, locking its soulless gaze on him. It lunged.
Takami threw his old dagger. It dodged and lunged at him instead.
"Shit—!" He turned to run, trying to summon his new weapon. Nothing happened.
The spirit gained on him.
"Come on, come on!" He willed the Slayer Blade to appear—
It materialized in his hand.
Takami smirked. "Finally."
The spirit swiped at him. He ducked and slashed.
The blade cut through the spirit's arm cleanly.
Takami's eyes widened. "That worked?!"
The spirit shrieked and lunged again, this time slicing through his side.
Pain shot through him. Blood dripped down his waist. He staggered back, breath heavy.
The system asked:
[Use Healing Potion?]
"Yes!"
A warm sensation washed over him, sealing the wound instantly.
Takami grinned, eyes sharp. "I've never won a fight before." He tightened his grip on the blade. "But this time... I see it."
He dodged the spirit's next attack, flipping over it. He twisted midair, throwing the Slayer Blade—
The dagger embedded into the spirit's skull.
POOF.
It disintegrated.
A notification popped up.
[Player Leveled Up.][Stats Increased: Intelligence +1 | Perception +1]
Takami stood there, breathing heavily, then let out a laugh. "I get it now."
He turned, walking home with a smirk.
"Who knew I'd become a video game character in real life?"
---
-CHAPTER 5: LEVEL UP-
END OF CHAPTER NOTES ✍️:
1. More about Yuri and Jimin?
Yuri (20) – The Windborne Mage
Height: Shorter than Takami and Jimin
Hair: Blonde, high ponytail
Class: Mage (Wind)
Abilities: Wind manipulation, high mobility
Yuri is quick-witted and playful, often teasing her taller friends. Her wind magic makes her incredibly fast, allowing her to strike from a distance and evade attacks effortlessly. Though confident in battle, she sometimes takes risky moves, relying on Jimin and Takami to cover her.
---
Jimin (21) – The Iron Slayer
Height: Tallest in the group
Hair: Rough, brown
Class: Slayer
Fighting Style: Heavy strikes, brute force, high endurance.
Jimin is a powerhouse who charges into battle without hesitation. He relies on strength and endurance, swinging massive weapons with ease. Though reckless, he's fiercely loyal to his friends. He and Yuri bicker constantly, but their teamwork is unbeatable.
2. What are the combat classes?
1. Slayer – Specializes in direct combat against spirits. Uses weapons and martial arts enhanced by Grant.
Weapons: Swords, daggers, polearms.
Strengths: High physical damage, strong against spirits.
Weaknesses: Limited ranged attacks.
2. Mage – Uses Grant to cast spells, summon elements, and manipulate energy.
Weapons: Staffs, wands, spellbooks.
Strengths: Long-range combat, powerful abilities.
Weaknesses: Low physical endurance, high energy consumption.
3. Assassin – Stealth-based fighter who specializes in high-speed attacks and quick eliminations.
Weapons: Daggers, short swords, throwing knives.
Strengths: Speed, critical hits, sneak attacks.
Weaknesses: Low durability, struggles in direct combat.
4. Spirit Binder – Uses contracts to control and summon spirits for combat.
Weapons: Spirit Seals, charms, enchanted weapons.
Strengths: Can command multiple spirits, strong support abilities.
Weaknesses: Requires strong willpower, weak without spirits.
5. Tank (Guardian) – Defensive warrior with high endurance, capable of protecting teammates.
Weapons: Shields, heavy armor, blunt weapons.
Strengths: Can take massive damage, best at defending allies.
Weaknesses: Slow movement, lacks high attack power.
6. Exorcist – A holy warrior who purges spirits using divine Grant energy.
Weapons: Blessed weapons, talismans, rosary beads
Strengths: Extra damage against spirits, purification abilities.
Weaknesses: Weak against non-spiritual enemies.
7. Warlock (Cursemaster) – Focuses on spirit-based curses, hexes, and dark energy attacks.
Weapons: Ritual daggers, cursed tomes, blood seals.
Strengths: Damage-over-time effects, drains enemy energy.
Weaknesses: Slow buildup time, risky self-sacrificing abilities.
8. Monk – A spiritual warrior who fights using martial arts and inner Grant flow.
Weapons: Fists, staffs, beads.
Strengths: High self-recovery, enhanced reflexes, hand-to-hand combat.
Weaknesses: Limited range, dependent on self-discipline.
9. Hunter (Marksman) – Uses ranged attacks and precision strikes to fight spirits from a distance.
Weapons: Bows, crossbows, spirit guns.
Strengths: High accuracy, best at long-range fights.
Weaknesses: Weak in close combat.
10. Shifter (Hybrid) – Can transform into spirit-like creatures or control beasts.
Weapons: Claws, fangs, whips.
Strengths: Can adapt to any combat situation.
Weaknesses: Transformation has a time limit.
---